Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Toxicity of Euclea divinorum Hern (Ebenaceae): A Review

Abstract

Euclea divinorum Hiern (Ebenaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in Yemen, Eastern and Southern Africa in traditional phytotherapy. This review was an attempt to compile a comprehensive report on its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemicals, pharmacological activities, and toxicity, lending credence to the use of its various parts in herbal medicine. The literature encountered indicated that herbal formularies from different parts of Euclea divinorum (E. divinorum) are majorly used for traditional treatment of odontological, dermatological, respiratory, reproductive, and gastrointestinal ailments. At least 18 compounds have been isolated and characterized in extracts of E. divinorum, while 31 others have been identified in the crude extracts analyzed by GC-MS. Extracts, as well as isolated compounds from E. divinorum stem, stem barks, leaves, and roots, showed renoprotective, antiproliferative, antinociceptive, contractile, proteolytic, diuretic, antiprotozoal, anti-giardial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, molluscicidal, and insecticidal activities. Further research is warranted to explore other pharmacological properties such as antisnake venom, aphrodisiac, antidiabetic, analgesic, and antimycobacterial activities and the responsible bioactive compounds in the different parts of E. divinorum claimed in herbal medicine. The composition and bioactivities of essential oils from this species also warrant further studies.

Keywords

• Euclea
• chewing sticks
• naphthoquinone
• triterpene
• flavonoid

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